Transcript

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ould a cow keep its horns to keep its dignity? That is a question being brought to a national vote in Switzerland on Sunday. Most cows here have no horns, either removed by the farmer or are genetically hornless. But the Swiss cow is a national symbol and tourist attraction.

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And a self-described rebel kick-started the referendum to stop the practice. Farmer, Armin Capaul, he says, listening to his eight-horned cows inspired his campaign to preserve the dignity of livestock.>>

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> Cows give us food, we must respect cows as they are, as they were created. Leave them their horns.

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When you look at them, they always hold their head high and proud. When you remove the horns, they are sad.>> Capaul says the horns help cows communicate and regulate their body temperature. A yes vote will give farmers just under $200 per cow per year and Armin hopes reduce the practice.

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The process involves burning a sedated calf's horn buds with a red hot iron. Some vets insist it's harmless and many farmers defend it..>> I am against the initiative because our system, with a free stable, has its advantages. The cows get along better with each other. With cows with horns, the danger of injury to the animals and to humans is greater.

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>> The government is meanwhile against the campaign. They say it would drain 30 million francs from it's 3 billion franc agricultural budget, the latest poll says the vote is too close to call.